The 100th Armenian Genocide Commemoration – 2015

The 100th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide is just 6 and a half Months away. Annually on April 24, we gather together in Canada’s Capital Ottawa in the Province of Ontario and we commemorate the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish Ottoman empire and Government is responsible for murdering and massacre of 1.5 Million Armenian’s in 1915 as well as stealing our precious and beautiful land as well as Mount Ararat which will always be Armenia’s.

The Turkish Government to this very day still denies that they ever did commit a Genocide, which is why we need to spread the word as much as possible. 2015 will be the 100th Commemoration. Where ever you are and will be, however you will commemorate, it is important to come together with other Armenian’s and venture out in the public eye, and in public places to voice ourselves and make this a global recognition. Our efforts need to be taken out of our Armenian communities and churches and solely head to Embassies, Consulates, organize public marches in the metropolitan areas of your city where it is densely populated with visible signs, banners, and our Armenia Flag.

Canada Has recognized the Armenian Genocide and we thank Canada so much as other Countries as well who have recognized. It is only a matter of time until the world comes together to raise awareness and recognition, on not only the Armenian genocide, but all other genocides and terrible acts of humanity throughout the world.
We need to spread the word out to everyone. In Canada, we will be heading to Ottawa, Canada in front of the Canadian Parliament, followed by a march to the Turkish Embassy. April 24, 2015. Usually we begin at 12 noon until everyone arrives in Ottawa from buses from Ontario and Quebec from Cambridge, Toronto, Montreal, Laval, and abroad. For up to date information, bus departure times and other questions, please see your Local Canadian Armenian Community Centre Organization to obtain more information.
Also the information will be posted here as well once we get more news soon. In the meantime it is important to spread awareness as much as possible. Social Media is a huge way to raise awareness. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the 100th Centennial in Ottawa, please contact me. Also if you want to do your own research about the Armenian Genocide and what happened, You can Google, or search on Facebook, Twitter or wherever in social media.

New York City – City That Never Sleeps

This month of October, 2014, it was my second adventure in New York City. first trip was when I was 11 years old. I didn’t remember much of it, however now as I have gotten much older, I became more observant. In the past decade, and more years before,

I always heard and seen those New York based Television shows, Talk Shows, and movies. Just to name a few like Friends, How I met your Mother, Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman, Seinfeld, Saturday Night Live, the movie Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Colbert Report, Rachael Ray, NYPD Blue, CSI: NY, Regis & Kelly, Now Kelly & Michael, and so many others. as I was strolling down the streets of NYC, all those shows came to mind. Even fashion, and celebrities have come to my mind when I was there.

NYC is a beautiful city with so many people, Yellow NYC Taxi Cabs that are everywhere, FDNY, NYPD, Times Square, Rockefeller Centre, Central Park, Madison Square Gardens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Lower Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Hudson River, and so many other attractions. I know the traffic is brutal there and everything, however It is very exciting to be amongst that many people in one of the biggest cities of the world. So many trains, subways zig zagging, it looks like spaghetti on the map. Its insane, but its amazing to have great transit in such a huge city.

I was almost going to cry because everything you see on Television and online on the internet, comes to life, and you will say hey I have been there and I have seen it. It is an incredible thing. I am definitely heading back to NYC.

I did not have enough time to visit Ground Zero of which the 2 Twin Towers once stood to pay my respects to the September 11, 2001 attacks, and visiting the Statue of Liberty as well. However I plan to make another trip soon and visit both and spend more up close and personal time with the City and to thoroughly enjoy it more with of course a lot more time. I was just there for a quick visit for 2-3 days.

Frank Sinatra was definitely right. I have been listening to Frank Sinatra even before leaving to New York, and his song New York, New York has been stuck in my head. He says in his song that “it is a city that doesn’t sleep” which is was spot on. I love those lyrics of that song. I felt like Frankie was with me in the streets of New York. Next time I am going to listen to that song when I am there.

If you have never been there. It is good to visit, at least once, twice maybe 3 times or however many times as you wish. Start Spreading the news! 🙂 I want to be a part of it, its up to you, NEW YORK, NEW YORK!

Traveling to Wicked Awesome Boston

In life one of the most enjoyable and awesome thing is traveling, exploring and seeing parts of the world. I am especially excited to be traveling to the Super Wicked Awesome Boston, Massachusetts again for the second time Since August 2013 in less than a year. When I was landing to Boston in August 2013, I remember this warm, welcoming feeling as I was overlooking the beauty of it all, and I knew right away I would love it. It is not really the city, but the people there are so warm, friendly, strong, committed to each other, and particularly my great friends there, whom I call my family. I am excited to be reuniting with them in less than a week. They mean the world to me, and just being there with them, spending quality time together, creating everlasting memories is all I want. “Boston isn’t a city, its a family” of which someone had quoted a while back.

Last time I flew down, and this time we decided to take a road trip down which will take about 8 and a half hours. I am so used to road trips, and it will be nice to explore the scenery. I know on my Facebook I tend to talk about Boston a lot, and post up photos of the city, the logos of the teams and all that, but I just cannot help myself. To fully explore Boston and suburbs, you would need at least 2 weeks with the attractions, going to Cape Cod, New England, Rockport. Rockport has wicked awesome lobster at the Lobster Pool Restaurant by the water. The reason why I say Wicked Awesome is that New England, Bostonians say those words, and add super so in their accent, they say “Supah Wicked Awesome”. In my previous blog, I taught people how to do the Boston Accent. You will see what I am talking about.

This has happened many times where now people would ask me about Boston, what there is to do and see, where the hot spots are, attractions, museums, and the iconic Harvard University which I had the pleasure of seeing. What a huge school. I don’t know how the students are able to find their classrooms in such a huge campus. I’d go crazy, but I love Harvard Square. I even got to touch John Harvard’s shoe on his statue. I also got to eat and drink beer at the Cheers Bar which is also known as the iconic TV show which aired in the 80’s. The real one closed down, but the replica is almost exactly alike to the show, but you see the juke box, and all sorts of things back from the show, and they put on the theme song of the show in one part. It is pretty wicked awesome. I also visited the Boston Harbor which is right by cheers, also Quincy Market where I bought some Boston Stuff to take home with me. It was very nice. Visit the Boston Common as well. There is also a Duck tour where there is a vehicle that goes on water and on the road and that is the ultimate Boston experience.

I can’t wait to share stories when I come back. Heres to the Supah Wicked Awesome Boston! CHEAHS!(Cheers)

The Boston Accent

Want to Learn the Boston Accent?
Here is a crash course.
The New England, Boston accent is quite different from the New York Accent and one of the most recognizable American accents in North America, where they hardly pronounce the R’s and sometimes the AH Gets replaced by some of the other vowels, depending on the word. Just always remember to use your vocal cords and use as HAH AH. For example:

Harvard — Hahvahd (HAH-VAHD)
Dark — Dahk
Park — Pahk
Corner — Connah!
Harbor — Hahbah
Boston — Bahstan
Watertown — Wahtahtown
Wine Cellar — Wine Cellah
Quincy Market — Quincy Mahket
Lobster — Lobstah
Clam Chowder — Clahm Chowdah
Logan Airport — Logan AIAH-PAHT
Super — Supah! Followed by Wicked Awesome!
Ice Cold Water — Ice Cold Watah
Beer — Beah!

So on and so fahth… Always Remembah tah always use the AH. So, now when you are a tourist, visitah, oah moving tah Bahstan, you will automatically blend in, but eithah way, Bahstan Welcomes you no mahttah what yoah accent is. Bahstan is Wahm and Friendly place and we accept yah jahst thah way yah ah! Bahstan is a Family, and We Lahv Tah Hahv Yah!

Cahntahct Me Foah moah infahmahtion

Are you a Sentimental Traveler?

Traveling is an incredible experience in life, and when we book our flights, cruises, all inclusive resorts, it comes with the hotel name, airline name, tickets, and when we go to the airport we obtain our boarding passes, luggage tags, Airline Destination Tags which are attached to the luggage, and keep them for memories and sentimental value to some, but however some people discard them and throw them away saying ahh they do not need it anymore, but then when it comes time to reliving memories by taking out your travel memorabilia and overlooking where you have gone, the airlines you have traveled with, or the cruise ships you have sailed on, but do not have anything but maybe pictures from your travels, and then regret not keeping those. It has happened to a few people whom have thrown it all away. Not a good idea to. Its nice to have and overlook them once in a while. It may take up some space, but in the end you know you have it with you for years to come.

For me on the other hand, I am a very sentimental person when it comes to these things. I keep all my travel tickets, documents, luggage tags, the destination code checked baggage tags, airline boarding passes, airport maps, headsets, cruise ship cards, even the napkins, and any logo with the airline, the plane model, or cruise ship, the airline magazines, the pens, anything. I have even kept my all inclusive wristbands from the hotels. Call me crazy, but I keep everything.  I have even kept a record of the room numbers I have stayed in, even shampoo/conditioner bottles from hotels, the shower caps and stuff that they put in the washroom. I take my own shampoo and stuff, because I know that the hotel will have those, so I put them in my luggage right away. I grab a few more. I have kept them in boxes and labelled on what is inside and sometimes I take it out and take a look at them and its nice to be refreshed on my travels. I have traveled a lot in my life and its a beautiful thing and I am so thankful for all those experiences.

Are you a sentimental traveler? Do you keep everything when you travel?

 

The Toronto Ice Storm and Areas Around – Be Careful Out There

On Saturday December 21st, 2013, on the first official day of winter, a terrible ice storm hit the City of Toronto, GTA, and areas around, where over 300,000 homes were and are still without power, knocking down tree branches, trees, sparks from hydro electrical wires, and making it very dangerous for driving and being out and about. Many places have closed stores, restaurants and even churches were cancelled as Sunday approached. Many trees and other surfaces have thick layers of ice due to the rain, freezing rain and ice pellets that hit the ground.  Many people have put their skates on and started skating on the roads and on their driveways in the city, many pictures show that trees have been toppled on cars, driveways, and roadways creating havoc, blockage and so much more. Winter has hit Ontario, Canada very early this year and it has been a month of active weather with snow, sleet, and very cold conditions. We are officially in winter now, and we still have about 3 more months to deal with this all. This is the first time Toronto has been hit with an ice storm and it is the worst in History as it has been reported on television today.

Hope that people can get electricity restored in time for Christmas. This is not something people want to deal with before Christmas begins. Hopefully food in peoples fridge does not get spoiled, and hopefully people’s plans will not be put on hold. I pray that everything goes back to normal. Electricity is something that is so important and of value to people. I cannot imagine how people used to go without electricity back in the olden days. I want to say to people to stay safe during this active winter weather, and if you do not have to drive out if its not so important, please stay indoors, keep warm, and keep off the roads, and if you know any elderly people who live around you or have elderly people in your family, do keep in touch with them to make sure they are okay, and if they need anything or need to be with anybody right now, its a good idea to look after them and as well as anybody else who needs anything.

At times like this it truly shows peoples great heart and love for others to help them during this difficult time in this terrible ice storm. Its very great to be seeing people helping each other on the news on the residential streets, and giving each other a helping hand with clearing off the tree branches from the streets, and so much more. Hope all goes well and things will workout for the better in the end.

Naturally and Beautiful Montreal — Lots to see and do… Your Tour Guide: Talin Orfali

Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities of Canada and the world. There are lots to see, do and explore. Whether its adventurous, about nature, if your a partier, if you love to explore and taste different foods at different restaurants, if your religious and love visiting beautiful historic churches, if you love taking a walk in parks, if you love to drive there are several highways(autoroutes) to choose from, and so much more. Here are places that you cannot leave Montreal without seeing before your eyes…
The Biodome The Insectarium The Botanical Garden The Planetarium Pont Champlain Notre Dame St Joseph Oratoire La Ronde Casino De Montreal Bon de Secours Parc Avenue Parc du Mont Royal Art Gallery of Montreal Old Montreal Old Port Westmount Outremont Montreal Laval Snowdon Berri Uqam Henri Bourassa Montmorency Cote Vertu Centre Eaton Montreal Olympic Stadium
Just For Laughs Festival Montreal Jazz Fest Cabane e Sucre Ile De Montreal Center Bell
The STM, METRO, Laval Transit — its great to explore different transits in the city..
Lots of restaurants include — Boccacinos, Elixor, Chenoys, La Belle Province, Amir, Arouch, Karoun, Chef Kebab, Lordia, El Sultan, Galleria, Scores, Casa Greque, Gladiatore, Casse Croute and so much more.
For More information in regards to Montreal and its area, please do not hesitate to contact me… Thank you.

Poem — Highway 401 east To Montreal — By Talin Orfali

Highway 401 East to Montreal

 

Highway 401 east I love you

You are the way to my happy place

So I will never be blue

 

It brings me to Montreal, so many lovely people to see

That I love and admire,

My love for you all is like intense fire.

 

passing by so many cities and towns Galore

going to a city I truly adore.

 

Passing by the big apple, the paint test strips,

thousand islands, the triangle green house and more

So many things the 401 has for people to see

so many things in store.

 

A highway that is so special to me

I know it sounds funny, but its how I

want it to be,

 

The highway 401 east only exists to me

from the start

I love it with all my heart.

 

I know each Kilometre I pass

It gets me closer to the people I love

who have class.

 

Going to a city that is great

that I never want to stop on the way

and keep going straight.

 

So 401 east to Montreal I love you

So many memories since I was a child

so happy I can drive on it now as I grew.

 

Thank you Highway 401 east

You are the best

Forget the west…

I Love The Highway 401 East in Ontario, Canada.

I know in the back of your head you are wondering why I have such a love of a highway? Especially the highway 401. and the Direction is EAST of Course.

Well, let me uncover the information on the story behind it all.

When I was as little as 5 years old, My Family and I took a road trip to Montreal, Quebec. I was so excited for it. One of the very first things that caught my eye was “The Big Apple”. I saw this huge red dome like structure that really excite me, so I begged my father to stop so we can go visit it. So he did and we went to the big apple for a while and then my dad said we have to get back on the road because there was almost 3 and half hours more driving to do. I said ok, so as I was looking outside, I said wow there is no end to this. I was very excited. So after returning from Montreal, I said I want to go again, so not so long after we went back to Montreal to visit family. I was ever so excited again.

So As we had a cottage in Tweed, Ontario just about 30 minutes north from the City Of Belleville, I always looked forward to it and I couldn’t wait until I could drive. When I turned 16 years old, I had just gotten my drivers licence, and so I was legal to drive. So my brother was able to drive at the time, so he stopped on Highway 37 which was the highway that took us to Tweed, so I got to drive all the way to the cottage. It was so exciting, but I wasnt happy because I could not drive on the 401 still, so I hurried up and When I got my other Licence to drive, I was the one to always drive on the Highway 401 and I wouldnt let anyone else drive.

I remember driving to Montreal back by myself for the first time 5 years and a bit ago, and it was the best time of my life, Just the road, myself and my car with my favourite music on, and I did that many times after. I loved stopping at the service centres while taking a break and watching the cars and big rigs flying by ever so fast and hearing the noises was and is just awesome. I went as close as I could to the highway so as I can see it all. I have also driven to Kingston, Ontario by myself and I have also done so much Highway 401 driving, that I got to know the road really well and I almost know every exit number and description by heart. When the Quebec border was coming up also known as Autoroute 20 which is the continuation of Highway 401, I would always make my symbol everytime I entered into Quebec at that point. I would give the “I love you” sign and bring my hand to my heart.

So I kind of grew up with the Highway 401 and I will never forget the great times I have had on there and will continue to have. To me it is not just a road to drive on. It is a lot more to me. I love the Highway 401 and I will always have a place for it in my heart. If you ever need directions on the Highway 401 and the exits, just let me know. I will be there to help you 🙂